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Suppression of Mendicity Society.-On Wednesday, April 9, this Society, which has for its object the suppression of street-begging in the metropolis, by providing for the really deserving objects some permanent and beneficial relief, and bringing to punishment those unworthy applicants who so frequently practise upon the credulity of the charitable, celebrated their Anniversary Dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern; the Duke of Northumberland in the chair. From the statements made to the meeting, it appeared that the funds of the Society had been nearly exhausted, by the many calls which had been made upon them. To recruit them, a liberal subscription was, however, made, among which was £100 from the Goldsmiths' Company, and many large donations from several spirited private individuals.

Philanthropic Society, St. George's Fields.-Thursday, May 8th, the Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held at the Albion, Aldersgate-street; Mr. Justice Park in the chair, in the absence of the Duke of York, who was prevented attending by indisposition. The object of the Society, is the prevention of crimes, by the education of the offspring of convicts, and the reformation of criminal children. The premises consist of an extensive manufactory, a school for females, and a house of reform. The sons of convicts, not having themselves been criminal, are received into the manufactory, containing, besides accommodation for 120 boys, workshops for carrying on the trades of printing, book-binding, shoe-making, tailor's-work, rope-making, and spinning. The girls are taught needle-work and domestic labour. Twenty-five objects have been received into the Society since the last year, from nine to eleven years of age, consisting of ten sons and four daughters of convicts, and eleven criminal boys. In the last year, 181 of both sexes were under the protection of the Society, and the number at present is 162, consisting of 62 apprentices to the Society's trades; 65 boys, and 35 girls. The receipts of last year amounted to £5920. 18s. 6d. and the expenses to the same amount. A handsome collection was made for the Institution.

London Hibernian Society.—The seventeenth Anniversary Meeting of this Society took place on Saturday, May 10, at the Freemasons' Tavern; his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester in the chair. From the Report it appeared, that the number of schools in Ireland, under the patronage of this Society, are considerably on the increase. They are divided into three classes, as follows: ...553 Scholars...... 51,889

Day Schools
Sunday Do.
Adult

Do.....

Total

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Of these last, nearly nine-tenths are Roman Catholics; and of the whole, about five-sixths. The increase within the last year, upon the whole, is 13,640 scholars. The Society has 22 Readers of the Scriptures in daily employ, and eight principal Inspectors, in uniform circulation through the scene of its labours. The Society also distributes the Scriptures both in English and in Irish. The distribution of last year has been,

Testaments, English.

Bibles

Do.

.......

.11,107 .... Irish 822
1,015 Do. 100

-These making 92,600 bibles and testaments, since the commencement of the Society. The funds were, through recent legacies, &c. in a flourishing condition. Instead of being in debt, as formerly, they have £3000 in the hands of their treasurer.

British and Foreign School Society.-The 18th Anniversary Meeting of this Society was held on Monday, May 12, at the Freemasons' Tavern; when, in the absence of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, who had undertaken to preside, Mr. W. Williams, M.P. took the chair. The Report of the Committee to the Society, stated, that the receipts of the last year had just covered the expenditure, but that the operations of the Society had been impeded by the want of adequate resources. They acknowledged the assistance they had received from the Bristol Auxiliary Society, and also from the corresponding committees at Bath, Plymouth, &c. and they recommended, as one of the most efficient measures for the support of the Institution, the formation of auxiliary societies throughout the kingdom. Their object was not confined to place or party, but contemplated the welfare of all classes, and of all the nations of the earth. No pains had been spared to render the central schools as perfect as possible. They now received 500 boy and 300 girl scholars, and there were 150 waiting for admission. Since the first establishment of the boys' school in 1798, the number admitted was 14,606, and of girls, 7420; total 22,026. A public examination took place at the central schools on the 27th of March, and was numerously attended Of the eight Madagascar youths, stated at the last anniversary to have been placed under the care of the Committee, one had since died. Four had left school to learn the different manufactures to which they were destined by king Radama, leaving three still in the Society's house. The very great improvement of these youths, supplied a striking proof of the facility by which instruction was communicated by the British system. During the last year, they had assisted several schools with grants of slates and lessons. A second edition had been printed of the Scripture Lessons, in 12mo. An edition in French had since been added, and a large edition was also printed some time ago in Russia. The Committee particularly recommended the formation of district school associations; the most effectual mode of supporting which was, the demand, in addition to the aid of the benevolent, of a small weekly sum from each scholar. The schools in the metropolis had been recently visited, and in general were very satisfactorily conducted. These, 57 in number, contained upwards of 9000 children. The Inverness Education Society was making considerable progress in the Highlands. Besides the model-school under Mr. Cameron, there were 35 schools, containing 1524 scholars. In one district, with a population of 600 persons, and in which a few years ago there were but eight individuals who could read, there were now 240 who could read with ease, and not a family was without its bible. The progress of education in Ireland was highly gratifying. By the last report of "the Society for promoting the Education of the Poor in Ireland," it appeared that the number of their schools was 727, containing 51,637 scholars. Of these schools, 17 were formed in jails, and had produced the happiest results. More than 100,000 copies of their cheap and useful publications had been circulated. The London Hibernian Society patronized 575 schools, in which 53,233 children were educated; 90 other schools were under the Baptist Irish Society containing 7000 scholars.

The Irish poor eagerly embraced the opportunity of procuring education for their families, and their children usually evinced great ardour in the pursuit of knowledge. The Committee then adverted to the progress of education in foreign parts. The last report of the Society for Elementary Instruction at Paris had not yet reached the Committee, and therefore they were unable to furnish exact particulars of the present number of schools in France, The communications during the past year were of a discouraging tendency. The aid hitherto granted by the government had not been regularly supplied; and that cause, together with the efforts of individuals hostile to the diffusion of knowledge, had contributed to weaken the hands and depress the spirits of the promoters of education. The system of mutual instruction was rapidly advancing in Spain, under the sanction, and at the expense, of government. Besides the military school, there were three others at Madrid, and others had been established at many other principal cities and towns. In Italy the system was still enjoyed, notwithstanding the operation of that hostile interference which was adverted to in the last report. The British system had been introduced into all the Ionian Islands, under the sanction of government. From the vicinity of those islands to Greece, the Committee hoped that at no distant period the system of mutual instruction would be introduced into that land of classic lore. Two Greek lads from Cyprus were now receiving instruction in the Borough-road. In Russia the system was prospering. A modelschool for 200 boys was lately established at Petersburg, to which the emperor had given the sum of 7000 rubles per annum. In India the native schools educated above 20,000 children. At Calcutta, Miss Cooke had organized 15 schools for girls. By the Benevolent Institution of Calcutta nearly 500 indigent Christian children were educated. After adverting to Ceylon, Malacca, and the Cape of Good Hope, the report stated, that under the superintendence of the Missionaries in the West India islands, there were upwards of 6000 children educated. In the United States of America, the cause of education was steadily advancing. The Oneida Indians were receiving instruction under the auspices of the American Baptist Society. In Nova Scotia there was an increasing desire for establishing Lancasterian schools. In Canada, the British and Canadian School Society had been formed, and the measure was sanctioned by the Catholic priests of Montreal. The progress of education in South America must afford heartfelt pleasure to every one concerned in the best interests of mankind. A school had been opened at Monte Video, in the presence of the captain-general and the corporation of the city. The British system was also introduced into Columbia, under the sanction of the authorities of that state. At Sante Fé a large school had been established, containing 600 scholars; two more were in progress, in addition to about 40 others in the neighbourhood. At Lima, a School Society had been formed under the express patronage and direction of the government, and at its sole expense, by which it was contemplated to spread education throughout the province of Peru. A similar provision was made last year for the province of Chili. The Committee entertained the most encouraging hopes that the blessings of religion and liberty would go hand in hand together, and that future generations would reap the benefits of the measures now recorded. The report concluded with an impressive appeal to all classes, to aid in the great work of universal education.

457

OBITUARY.

SAMPSON PERRY, Esq. This gentleman, who was formerly connected with the public press, both as proprietor and editor, and was well known in the political circles, had latterly become reduced in circumstances; but, although very considerably in debt, his creditors entertained the highest opinion of him: he was obliged, however, to go into the Whitecross-street prison; and while he remained there, his affairs were put in a way of settlement, and on Tuesday, July 1st, he was ordered to attend in the Insolvent Debtors' Court. On his way to Westminster for that purpose, the turnkey who accompanied him consented to allow him to call on his wife, living in Southamptonstreet, Bloomsbury, where he had occupied a house twenty-two years. Having taken some refreshment, he proceeded to the Court; and no opposing creditor appearing, he was declared entitled to his discharge. He returned from the Court to Southampton-street, merely to dinner, as the officer who accompanied him was under the necessity of taking him back to the prison, from whence he would have been discharged on the Wednesday, had he lived. Mrs. Perry had prepared some dinner, to which he sat down, laughing, and making some humorous observations; but at the moment he was conveying part of a lamb-chop to his mouth, he fell back in his chair, exclaiming, "Lord, have mercy on us!" and instantly expired. Surgeons were sent for, but they were of no avail-the vital spark had fled: and, on examining the body, it was discovered that his death was caused by the sudden rupture of the main artery of the heart. He was seventyeight years of age; and a gentleman stated to the Jury which sat upon his body, that his life was full of vicissitudes: he had been opulent, and extremely poor; he had friends, and was suddenly bereft of them; and had many narrow escapes with his life in situations of imminent peril, and times of great danger. During the stormy period of the French Revolution, Mr. Perry was no less than nine times in French prisons, and was confined during the reign of Robespierre, with Thomas Paine, and condemned to death by that ferocious assassin, without the (thought unnecessary) form of trial then. He escaped this dreadful doom by the following most singularly fortunate circumstance. His prison-door was hung upon a swivel, and could by the least motion be turned round. The custom was to mark with red chalk the doors of the cells of those who were condemned to die. This course was adopted in his case; but the gaoler, when leaving the cell on the morning appointed for execution, accidentally let the door turn round: he took no notice that the mark of death was turned inside, instead of being out; and, before he had noticed the circumstance, the officers of execution arrived in the prison, and took from every cell marked with red chalk the victims of revolutionary fury. Perceiving Mr. Perry's cell not marked, they passed it; and when the gaoler again came round, he was thunderstruck, on examining the door, to find the mistake he had made; but before he had time to apprise any body of the circumstance, the infuriated mob had burst the prison-doors in search of Robespierre: not finding him there, they shot the gaoler, and released the captives, who, in a short period, saw Robespierre led bleeding to the block, and there with his life, in some measure, offer retribution for his crimes.

458

PROVINCIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Deaths.-Aug. 22, 1822. At Calcutta, Rev. John Paget Hastings, one of the chaplains to the Hon. East India Company on the Bengal establishment.-Sept. At Trichinoply, Hindostan, Mungo Park, M.D. eldest son of Mungo Park the traveller.-3. At Benares, of debility, Lieut.-Col. Wilford, long known to the world as a most learned and indefatigable cultivator of the Asiatic history and literature of the Hindoos, on which subjects he contributed many very valuable papers to the Asiatic Society, of which he was one of the earliest members.-Dec. 11. At Madras, Rev. John Allan, D.D. M.D. Senior Minister of the Kirk of Scotland, on the establishment of Fort St. George. Feb. 1. At Calcutta, Sir Henry Blosset, Knt. a serjeant at law, and chief justice of India. On his death-bed, he blessed God most heartily for the happiness, for the honour, of being descended from a pious mother, who had led him by the hand into the path of life, and had anxiously pointed out to him the way of salvation. At that awful moment he felt the unspeakable value of her instructions, and that with his latest breath he should thank and bless her for them. He was unremittingly diligent in searching the Scriptures. His Bible gave most unequivocal evidence that the law of the Lord was his delight, that day and night he meditated therein. The pages were not spotless white, and the binding fresh and fragrant, as others might be, for the former were filled with notes and comments, springing from his own reflections, and the latter was worn and soiled by constant use. It was thus that he obtained a knowledge of God's holy will. Those who surrounded his death-bed he often addressed, impressing upon their minds the importance of being truly religious; and wishing them to learn from his own case the great goodness of God. On the morning before he died, when in extreme weakness, he desired the two last chapters of the book of Joshua to be read, in the presence of all assembled. He explained afterwards, that as he, like Joshua, was going the way of all the earth, he wished to declare that he died in the faith and fear of the true God, beseeching those around him to do the same. But not only for those around him, not only for his near relations and friends, not only for his own nation, did he feel this tender interest; he loved, he prayed most earnestly for, the souls of the wretched Hindoos; wretched, because not worshipping the true God. Mr. Crawford, who came from England with him, and had the best opportunity of knowing his character fully, said, in the funeral sermon which he preached after his death, "that he could bear ample witness to the intense interest he took in the salvation of these people, which, when not aware how soon he should be called away, he determined to promote by every means in his power." -17, After a short illness, George Edwards, M.D. of Suffolk-street, Charing Cross, author of "The Aggrandisement and National Perfection of Great Britain," 2 vols. 4to. 1787, and a great variety of pamphlets, medical, political, and theological, all savouring more of visionary theory than of sound reasoning. He advertised himself as "the author of the Income and Property Tax," a distinction which very few would envy him, 71.-March 7, At Serampore, Rev. William Ward. He attended a Missionary Meeting, at Calcutta, the previous

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